Return of company car following employee resignation

[elephantsbreafh]

Looking for outside opinions

Background:
Employee of 5+ years has company car (not leased)
Company car was cosmetically damaged a few years ago, company not employee did not fix it
Employee has resigned
Company would like car returned to office (45 mins from employee, not employee’s usual place of work)
Company would like car valeted and with a full tank of fuel on return at employee’s expense
No contract so nothing to refer to

Is it reasonable to expect employee to pay for valet and fuel when company have not even bothered to fix previous damage ie, it’s not in a great state anywhere so effectively polishing a turd at employee’s expense. Is it reasonable to expect employee to return car or should an option to have it collected be offered?

Out of context but in case relevant - employee was on maternity leave, statutory mat pay only and does not have another vehicle yet. Head office in remote location with no public transport.

Thanks.

mine was collected from the house , it had to be clean and was inspected upon collection.
Can't remember what happened with fuel.

No they cannot deduct the cost from final wages unless it’s very specifically mentioned in your contract.

There are strict rules about wage deductions.

@VanGoghsDog I expected to and offered at the time but was told not to bother. They pay for all other maintenance. It actually needs an MOT before I hand it back which is more of a pain!

Did you get it with a full tank and valeted?

@Rollercoaster1920 there isn’t public transport, it’s v rural

Once employment ends are you still insured on company car to take to valet, back to head office etc?

@Lampshading it was from a dealer nearly new so i expect it had been valeted
No fuel but I had a fuel card anyway

@Pippyls1im taking it back on my last day anywat

How was it damaged?

If you collected it and it was provided with fuel (or fuel card as you’ve said) then yes I think you need to return it and fill up the tank. As it’s their car it’s up to them wether they fix cosmetic damage on it, not sure it’s reasonable to use it as an excuse to not have it properly cleaned. I think they are in the right sorry OP.

* Company car was cosmetically damaged a few years ago, company not employee did not fix it*

^I would expect the employee to fix cosmetic damage.

I know things can be expected but surely if there’s no contract or terms then what can they do

I would say it is normal to return all work belongings to your usual place of work at the end of a contract - not a 45minute drive away at your expense if that is further.

I'd give it a clean, but I wouldn't valet it unless you can get it done cheaply. Take it through the car wash at the supermarket maybe?

Petrol I guess is a debate depending on what your usual fuel arrangements are (which continue through maternity leave as at any other time).

When you do hand it over though I would take a video of the car inside and out - make sure you get the company building in shot too and the date and time on your phone. I'd probably email this to HR as then they know that playing silly buggers around claims on it would be more hassle than they are worth.

@Hb12 a van scraped alongside it when the car was stationary and parked on street at workplace

Thanks all.

I’ll make arrangements to return it and will clean but not valet and it’ll have some fuel but not full tank! Hopefully that will be the end of it

Slightly an aside but I find it surprisingly short-sighted and inefficient if nothing was put in writing about this when you got the car (mainly by the company but also slightly by the OP). After all, employments end for all sorts of reasons and in all sorts of ways and nobody wants any arguments.

I think it's reasonable for employee to return it, but the damage, cleaning and fuel are the company's responsibility

I would say the fuel depends on if you pay tax on fuel benefit or not. I'm guessing you do since you have previously had a fuel card. If you pay tax on fuel benefit the I wouldn't be topping up the petrol for them at your own expense.

If you are resigning during statutory mat leave, you are on leave and its ultimatly up to the company to recover its business asset.

The car should be returned to its original collection point or if nearer the employees usual place of work provided there is a parking space on the premise.

The Employer should be applying the appropriate legal deductions for any employees personal use as this is taxable remuneration. As a contracted benifit in kind unless the employee breached a contract term the employe owes the company nothing for personal use.
Company costs should be paid for by the company, so any fuel costs incurred by an employee should be repaid to the employee.
If the employee has a fuel card then its not unreasonable to request that the employee to use company time and money to fill the tank.

Returning the car in a clean state without valeting is also acceptable unless there was a prior written agreement all additional costs should be picked up by the company.

Check the HR policy if there is no written agreement in place at the time of receiving the car or during the time of having the car the company cant deduct costs with out a contractual agreement.

@Pippyls1

Once employment ends are you still insured on company car to take to valet, back to head office etc?

Company cars are normally insured for anyone the company authorises to drive them (usually some caveats, like not under 21, no convictions etc).

@drpet49

* Company car was cosmetically damaged a few years ago, company not employee did not fix it*

^I would expect the employee to fix cosmetic damage.

Its not the employees property.

So the manager in charge of motor assets has the responsibility to be making decisions about modifications / upgrades to company assets.

The company can have a policy where the employee has a contractual responsibly for incurred costs.

There’s no contract so no obligation for you to have it valeted or return with a full tank, although I would expect it to be returned decently clean and in a reasonable state.

In our company if someone leaves they would be dropped off home on their last day, usually by their line manager, thus leaving the car at work. In your circumstance, the nice thing would be for them to collect the vehicles and save you a trip. That being said, it wouldn’t necessarily be unreasonable for them to ask you to bring it in, although they should arrange for someone to drive you home. Expecting a new mother to drop her car in then make their own way back is quite petty and wouldn’t be the done thing in our office. They sound particularly awkward as an employer.

@drpet49

* Company car was cosmetically damaged a few years ago, company not employee did not fix it*

^I would expect the employee to fix cosmetic damage.

I'd expect insurance to cover it.

Why would you expect a full tank of fuel if it wasn't delivered with one?

Also after five years there will be wear and tear. Just get the car back and stop being so petty.

I would honestly just tell them in the first instance it's logistally impossible for you to take it to them. See what they say.